Method of and apparatus for enameling



gem. a, 1925. 1,552,475

(I. DRESSLER 7 METHOD OF AND APPARQEIUS FOR E NAMELINC a 4 Original FildJul' 15, 1923.

O O 0 0'0 (1 00 O O O 0 O 0 O0 0 "00000 00000 O0 000 O 1 v VENTOR H v ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 8, 1925.

UNITED snares Parana caries.

CONRAD DRESSLER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T AM ERICAN DRESSLER TUE .HEL KILNS, INQ, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORZEORATIQN OF NEW YORK.

METHOD OF AND ALIPABATUS FOR ENAMELINQ' Application filed July 13, 1921, Serlal'No. 484,318, Renewcdfebruary 18, 1925.

certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of and Apparatus for Enameling,

of whichthe following is a specification.

My present invention consists in an improved method of and apparatus for enamcling metal, and the general object of my invention is to provide'for the effective utilization of a tunnel kiln in enameling sheet iron sign plates and analogous articles. More specifically the object of my present invention is to provide forthe eflicient simultaneous enameling of both sides of plate like articles.

In enameling a sheet metal article such as a sign plate which, unlike a pot, is not shaped to resist bending stresses, it is ordi narily necessary to enamel the article on both sides,to prevent the article from warping as a result of the temperature changes '11 different portions of the article occurring when the enamel formed material melts. Such warping tendency is avoided when both sides of theartic-le are enameled at the same time provided the en'ameling ma- -.terial and the heat are similarly applied to the two sides of the article. In the case of enamel signs and the like, it is generally dosirable also to enamel both sides of the arti cle to avoid oxidation.

My invention comprises special provisions for transporting articles to be enameled through the enameling kiln and for si- 'multaneously subjecting the two sides of each article to practically the same enamel maturing temperatures. I

The various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and ionning a part of this specification. For a better understanding in" the invention, however, and its advantages, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention.

Of the drawings: v

Fig. 1 is a transverse section through an enameling kiln; and V Fig. 2 is a side elevation on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1. 1

In the drawings, A represents a tunnel partly in section kiln provided with track rails B at its bot tom for a" goods-carrying car or truck (3.

The kiln is heated by combustion chambers D resting on benches A at the sides .of the passage way for the body of the car C. The combustion chambers D through which the burning gases and products of combustion pass lengthwise of the kiln have their heating walls formed with circulating channels D through which a convection current cir 'culation of thekiln atmosphere is setu as in the ordinary Dressler kiln. Prefera ly,

however, theinner side walls of the combustion'chambe'rs are more greatly inclined from the vertical than'is usual in an ordinary Dressler kiln and are'formed' with windows 1) opening from the corresponding channels The truck C is formed with a superstructure having provisions for supporting the sign plates or like flat articles S at suitable elevation. Preferably, as shown, the article-s are horizontally disposed-to prevent the enamel from'running when it melts. In the particular construction shown, the truck sugerstructure comprises cast iron standards 4 in the form of webs extending transversely to the length of the kiln and longitudinally disposed bars F adjustably supported on the standards E and provided on their upper sides with 'suitablyspaced pins or hugerlike projections F on which the articles S rest. Advantageously the metallicbody or framework of the truck is covered by refractory material H shaped to provide oppositely inclined surfaces H which intersect along the center line of the truck and tend to refiect heat from the side of the tunnel upward against the undcrsides of the articles S.

In the operation of the apparatus shown in the drawings, the upper sides of the articles S receive heat by radiation from the crown A fof the kiln and by contact from the convection currents of the kiln atmosphere. The undersides' of the articles S also receive heat by contact from the kiln atmosphere though to a lesser extent than the upper sidesvof the articles. In addition the undersidcs of the articles S also receive radiant heat from the top surfaces H of the'body of the truck G and overhang-thecombustion chambers "D, 4 By, suitably proportioning the kiln cerparts 1t is possible with the construction shownto supply heat: at about equal 'rete sto the upper and lower sides of the articles so. thatthe enameljorm ing material with which the two sides of the articles are coated melt at approximately the same time and rateand the tendency to warp the plates is thus practically eliminated. Adventageously the kiln is so heated and the goods so moved intoandthrough 1,348,510 though other .types of kiln and truck constructirm maybe employed.

;While in occorde ee with the provisions of the statutes -1 have illustrated and described the best form of apparatus embodying my invention now known to' me, it will be apparent to'those'ski-iled in the aft that changes may hemmein the form 'of -apparates disclosed without departing from the spirit of my invention asset forth in the appended claims and thot certein features] of myinventioziimay sometimes be used to v advantage without a corresponding use of other. features;

-Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tdsecure 'by Lettors Patent, is: i

of enameling both sides of fiat articles in '2 tunnel kiln of the, mulfle 1. The method type by means of a convection current cir' culation of the kiln chamber and radiant heat, which consists in supplying heat at substentielly the same rate to each side of 'walls et the, side's- Tent circulation of the kiln atmosphere in directions transverse to the'iengthof the kiln while holding the articles in a horizontol position in the chamber with theie uppr sides exposed to radiant heat from the the article by setting up at convection our roof of the 'kiln and their lower sides ex posed to radiant heat from the hot kilo of, and beneath the.

articles.

2. A kiln car formed with a, body portion and askeleton superstructure carried there" 'by' and comprising spaced apart standards extending transversely to the direction ofcan movement, and work suppoits mounted v 1- on said standards and provided withing)- wardly projecting fingers on which an; ticles tobe enameled may rest.

3. A kiln cor comprising a, skeletonized article supportingsuperstruetiire end a; body from heat radiating surfaoes at the sides of the car. 4. A kiln compr smg o iuin chamber, oomportion covered with refractory material. shaped to 'upwardly reflect heat coming,

bustion chambers at the sides-ofthe goods pathway through the'chember cod for-med with open ended channelsin their walls. ex tending transversely to-the length of the kiln for settingup e convection current circulotion of the kiln atmosphere end hevmg their walls adjacent the goods ethwey inclined away from the vertical and. formed -with windows in the last mentioned well 1 opening fromthe said channels therein, and

means for supporting the articles to he beated in the kiln so that their under sides receive radiant heat through said. windowe;

York and State of New York this 11th day of July A. D. 1921.

Signed at New York, in the county of New CONRAD omz-se eieg 

